Ban on single-use plastic from July 1

New Delhi, June 28: With an aim to phase out single-use plastic items by 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said that India will ban the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of identified single-use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, all across the country from July 1, 2022.

 

 

Carrying forward the spirit of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava’, the government has called it "a defining step to curb pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic waste is being taken by the country". It has also set up national and state-level control rooms and special enforcement teams for checking illegal manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of banned single-use plastic items. The states and Union Territories have been asked to set up border check points to stop inter-state movement of any banned single-use plastic items.

 

"The adverse impacts of littered single-use plastic items plastic on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including in marine environment are globally recognized. Addressing pollution due to single-use plastic items has become an important environmental challenge confronting all countries," the statement from Ministry read.

 

 

In the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly held in 2019, India had piloted a resolution on addressing single-use plastic products pollution, recognizing the urgent need for the global community to focus on this very important issue. The adoption of this resolution at UNEA 4 was a significant step. In the recently concluded 5th session of United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022, India engaged constructively with all member states to develop consensus on the resolution for driving global action on plastic pollution.

 

According to the government, it has taken resolute steps for mitigation of pollution caused by littered Single-Use Plastics. The list of banned items includes - ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice- cream sticks, polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

 

 

The Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, also prohibit manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than seventy five microns with effect from 30th September, 2021, and having thickness less than thickness of one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31st December, 2022.

 

The government has been taking measures for awareness generation towards elimination of single-use plastics The awareness campaign has brought together entrepreneurs and startups, industry, Central, State and Local Governments, regulatory bodies, experts, citizens organizations, R& D and academic institutions.

 

"The success of the ban will only be possible through effective engagement and concerted actions by all stakeholders and enthusiastic public participation", believes the Ministry.